Automatic code signal discriminating device



Dec. 19, 1950 E. R. sHENK ETAL 2,534,388

AUTOMATIC coDE SIGNAL. DISCRIMINAIING DEVICE Filed Oct. 29, 1949 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 ATTO RN EY Dec. 19, 1950 E, R, SHENK ETAL 2,534,388

AUTOMATIC CODE SIGNAL DISCRIMINATING DEVICE Filed oct. 29, `1949 e sheets-sheet 2 l@ 2a A y 1..... Y f l U M I I fil l i M 1 I l l l I l l i l ATTORNEY Dec- 19, 195.0 E. R. sHENK ET AL 2,534,388

AUTOMATIC CODE SIGNAL DISCRIMINATING DEVICE Filed Oct. 29, 1949 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 ATTORNEY Dec'. 19, 1950 E. R. sHENK ETAL 2,534,388

AUTOMATIC CODE SIGNAL DISCRIMINATING DEVICE Filed oct. 29, 1949 e sheets-sheet 4 WIW/Vdi o 5775/65 a acm-ar I y /NVEA/rafs 9 2 EUGENE K'HE/VK Awa L//WBSY .Pb/ZPS ATTORNEY Dec. 19, 1950 E. R. sHENK ETAL 2,534,338

,AUTOMATIC coDE SIGNAL DISCRIMINATING DEVICE Filed Oct. 29, 1949 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 cli/zwar V1 .sfida-PUNT ATTO R N EY Dec. 19, 1950 E. R. sHENK ETAL AUTOviATIC CODE SIGNAL DISCRIMINATING DEVICE File oct. 29, 1949 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 ATTO R N EY Patented Dec. 19, 1950 so ris PATENT 2,534,3s8 A'iJ'rrMArlo oDE- SIGNAL DsoRIMINAT- ING DEVICE.

Eugene Riehaaf slank, Fairlawn; an1 James Curtis'. Phelps'*,Wlloodcliff` Lake, N." J ass-ignors yto ,iRadio `Corporation of America, 3a 'corporation of Delaware r Applicatiomo'ftdbe'r 29, 1921r9;sria1 Nd. VT1241318y (C1: riss-'26) There' hasrexis'ted :forlmany'iyears "alsystem of radio', telegraph tcommuni'cations known as the Higgitt sys-tempi'. operation. Thei essence of this typeoftransmission-is;fthat; while fusing characters fof "the -i-.Gontinental-` Morse ."Code, fthe dot,andudashaelements#thereof Vare of"opposite v polarity'ftsimilar to :CablefCod sand-hence;` can be and are `oi" equal-1 time` duration; rlnfarra'ng'en ment-fior the @automatic Ltranslation fof Inter nationall Morse Code andwotherrandom' :length code signals employing an'electroniccontrolgunit isv describedin copending U. S; application; Serial g No; 709,9v92-ledfNovember l5, 1946; Ther-intona tion lenables the l automaticetranslationf by-,1jelec tronic means of .theHiggitt tygiaeuof` signal; which requires aflmorecrtical 'cooperation with assoa ci-ated apparatusw The Higgitt .code employs.equallength signal i elements,v of .opposite polarity l. occurring. inw a specic time relationship ycorres'porzldrigf(to the dotsland dashes jrof `Continental4 Morse Code [for the various 'cdecombnat'ionsor characters coin-,- prising. their letterslof: the, alphabeavjgurea and special symbols.kv l, Each. dotfi and ffdash. `elen'ient irs. equivalent v.to 'a ,single yelemental Y,time interval, therelatiye tineaoflloccurrence ofjth'e element being-vreli'ed-upon for distinction. Since the ele'- ments, cuen thoughgof equat length, correspond to, ,the dots and dashes cof ."ContinentalnMorse Code .theyt'will beso referred to, hereinafter.. The elementsfarfe separatechbyY spacesy Whose duration determines.-u'f'hther,.orl `not the precedinggand succeeding. characterv elements constitute .party of a single characten. Separate characters .or1 Asepa-Y rategroups of. characters (wordsl- Y- Ee'causef itis convenient in the design.oicdeahandlingi ape paratus: toconsider the.requirementstherein-:gin 4 yterms-off .theshortestperiod of time aiifoweclk by ther f overall f system 1aforpreper operationK xof i :the system; l the description; of thejfinvention will. be

based on:- thei `theoreticaltime4 period i of the v.basicmarkingfelement Tof -the icone: under@czofnsldera#V tion; time-element will hereferredftohere-l imiterY as:the'ciBaMaEw Aispaeeaoful B. MisEs' 'durationlf represents: an; .inter-.character space;

whi'leca space of-:3 oit/moregBfifMr-Erepresentan gitt cdaflil'e ``theilv'lorse :ode, .a're`-1nad"e'fup of unequal length code combinations `of dots-'a'rdfo'r dashes# TheV printer code Vonv the V'other Ahand "e'mploys equal lengthcode'combinationsffr eijery lt'terfof the alphabet' 'and-for every symbol; The code combinations 'of afprintercode arecompo'setl 'of a I plurality fof equal length' units or-el einnts'. The most common printer code employsf eleainents frfeVer-y code combination; ralthough there are `other vprinter .codes-1' employing six., .sereno 'or more units for each code combination.

The `conventional Higgitt receiver accepts-the incoming `opposite 'polarityfsignalasrecties them and c'lel'ivc-zrsv them r to t a :uu'tilization device zt 'via separate-dot and dash` lines, '.properly timedxvith respect 'to each otherandi'of lthe samefp'ol'arity.

The customary utilization devicew'nowini'use is a' tape printer known to the .art as awarbiirton Printer which' produces a printedwtapefwell known in telegraphic circles. The usual'require'- ment cf transcribing this printed -tapeffintoV a ve-u'nit fprinter code; is :performed :by :j manual operationofa key;board tape perforatoraV Such an 'arrangementv requires `one ormorevoperators,

thus yincreasingthe costY of -operationgf and'in additionffis likely vto introduce errors duef to -the human equation; Y v I y y -`lit is'knownfthat vto convert Higgi-tt code signals into printer code signals by Ypurely mechanical means, would require apparatusfthat is botncomf plic-ated-amicostly.r Further., such arnechanical code converting arrangement. Would-'require .a reperforated tape Aforits controllingm ans.y x

An object of the present invention isto.- provielefawinethoclarof and..me`ans for automatically producing perforated. teleg-raphicr printer ,code tape` directly: from Higgitt code. telegraphic signals.,V l

Anotheraobject of ,the vinvention is towproduce perforated.itelegraphic printedf code tapeffrorn Higgi-tt code signals by mechanical andelectronic nieanswithout the=useof= a human operator. for readingfthe signals and perforatingfthe tape.

Anfurther. f object Vof 4the invention -isvto per-fform a'icode translation from Higgittcode to equ al length printer vcoole by `the use of :electro-a mechanical relays and= simple electronic'circuits'1 thereby avoiding intricate: mechanicalv assem blages andrerrorsdueto the-human equation;

Stilll another object of the finventionf is :to pro'- vide a-source of controlling E electronic f impulses so timed in-occurrencefandduration-:asqto befof' maximum-V effectiveness when Vused: withJ a1: cor-zE operating-relay chain'orconvert'er.

word space.:` Therletters'andlguresvotfthefgigi-g55 .Yetfanotherobjectofethe inventionis-:tproe vide a source of electronic control impulses so timed in occurrence and duration as to obtain the greatest operating tolerance when used with a cooperating tape perforator.

Still a further object of the invention is to provide automatic case shift sending for reception of random length code signals.

These and other objects of the invention which will appear as the specication progresses are attained by apparatus which receives Higgitt code telegraphic signals, rectifies the same, actuates various electronic trigger circuits in response to these rectilied signals, sorts the l-liggitt code signals into inter-element spaces, inter-letter spaces and inter-word spaces by a gating operation and actuates a relay chain and printing and perforating mechanism to produce a converted code tape directly.

A more detailed description of the invention follows with reference to the accompanying drawing forming a part of the specication and wherein:

Fig. 1 is a block diagram of a, circuit arrangement according to the invention;

Fig. 2 (Figs. 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d taken together) illustrates an electronic control circuit for use in one channel of the arrangement shown in Fig. 1; and

Fig. 3 is a phase diagram of the control system of Fig. 2, given for the purpose of explanation.

Referring to Fig. 1, there is shown a block diagram of an arrangement for receiving signals in Higgitt code and translating them into 5-element xed length code for subsequent use. coming signals received on line I in general comprise two separate but interlaced signal trains which are applied to a known Higgitt code receiver I2 for separation. The output of such a receiver is usually designated as channel A, channel B, and so on, the output of each channel being presented at separate output terminals for dot elements and dash elements. The train of signal elements is applied via line I3 to a Higgittto-5-element code converter arrangement I5 hereinafter to be more completely described but which for the purpose of explanation at this point can be considered as a sequentially actuated chain of relays having the associated contacts and other apparatus arranged and interconnected in a plurality of possible electric paths and to complete one and only one such electric path in accordance with the combination of presented elements of the signal under consideration. Seduencing of code converter I5 is accomplished by means of an electronic control unit I5 according to the invention which responds to the number and timing of elements of the signal under consideration to produce pulses of current for controlling converter I 5 and other incidental operations required of the apparatus later to be described in detail. Preferably, code converter I5 and control unit I6 are connected to a rotary solenoid unit I8 where a certain electromagnet corresponding to the signal under consideration is energized after which magnets corresponding to print. carriage shifts. and other functions are energized, to actuate desired mechanical code handling apparatus such as a five element perforator 2U. While it is preferred for convenience to utilize a rotary solenoid unit which in its simplest form is merelv a bank of magnets having armatures positioned to be conveniently linked to type bars and the like of ex'- isting code handling apparatus, the invention is by no means limited to such an arrangement but on the contrary, the solenoids of a teletypewriter, reperforator, and the like, can be directly connected to code converter I5 and control unit Iii in a manner obvious to one skilled in the art.

Referring to Fig. 2, there is shown in schematic form a circuit arrangement including an electronic unit IE consisting of gating, trigger', locking and amplier circuitry in such array as to provide the operating and control pulses to the relay counting chain of code converter l5, rotary solenoid unit I8, and perforator 20, so timed and of such duration as is required by the cooperating component. Means to vary this timing, as well as the duration and magnitude ci the pulses is included where it is deemed necessary and/or desirable.

Details of the circuitry will become evident from the following description of the functioning of code converter I5 and control unit l5. The arrangement of code converter l5 can be readily understood from an inspection of -Figs. 2a, 2b, which shows a portion of the chain oi relays constituting code converter I5 and also shows other relays actuated by an electronic circuit I5 for changing from lower case (letters) to upper case (iigures). The complete circuit of code converter I5 is shown in copending U. S. application Serial No. 709,992 to which reference has been made hereinbeiore. There are six dot relays DORI to DORE inclusive and six dash relays DARI to DARE inclusive. These relays constitute a counting chain. Relay DORI and dash relay DARI from one pair of relays in the counting chain, and relay DORZ and relay DARZ form another pair in the counting chain, and so on, up to relay DDR6 and relay DARE, which form the last pair in the counting chain. There is also provided another chain of relays, relay ARI through relay ARS, forming an advance relay chain which is, in effect, a stepping relay causing the dot or dash signals to be switched from one pair of relays in the dot and dash chain to the next pair of relays in the chain. The relays DORI through DORE are operated from the contacts of the dot relay |63, while the relays DARI through DARE are operated from the contacts of the dash relay I M.

Input signal elements. that is. the separated dots and dashes from receiver I2 are simultaneously applied to both code converter I5 and electronic control'unit I5 at terminals IUI, IIJZ. Dot elements applied at terminal I M are then a'onlied to the winding of dot relay |03 which operates every time a dot marking signal has been identified and, correspondingly, dash relav |04 operates every time a dash marking signal has been identified and applied to terminal |52, while advance relay AR operates each time a marking signal, whether dot or dash, has occurred. Dot relay I3 and dash relay IM operate with every dot or dash respectively, while advance relay AR operates during the inter-element spacing, following either a dot or a dash element.

The operation of DOT relav |03 closes its associated contacts and causes the application of a positive potential to lead 25m (hereinafter referred to as the DOT BUS) and this positive potential follows a path through break (interlocking) contacts 28| of relay DARI, lead 202, and make-before-break contacts 263 to the winding of relay DORI, thus'energizing relay DOR'I and causing this relay to lock lup over its make contact 204 and open the break contacts 203. The contact 204, for locking relay DORI in its operative posiaarseess 'i'.pli'esfpositive; potentialltohline 2M '.(hereina'fter fzreferredxtomas the f'DASH BUS) ,l Vwhichlicoteritial ptn'dsA a. path throu'gh.. atleadY to' break (interlock) ,icontactsf `2 'IEIof-rrelayDOR It. ainake -b efore-'bre'ak .":conta'ct ofirel'ayDARI and itolthe windingrof relay IDA'RI.

't Thisrelay Alo'ckssup to bus 12 6I in ailn'annerfsimif 'lardzo'thatldescribed aboveforiDORl ...L-It is to be trsnoted thatfveither DORIfor DAR! alone canube operatedfr-but notbothsimultaneously due tothe fvrespective1 interlo'ckfilcontacts 2 Il I' or` 21131 opening e the'fp'ath tothe others: winding. vIffitfbe assumed that yDORI isoperated; a'rnake."co'r'itactZIl!!v assoi'fciateditherewith. isclosed', thuscompleting a'path 'ffrom they .contacts'of'` relay- AR; lead' 210,: contacts i209 ofxrelay DOR|,`-"1'eadA 2H ,Lmake-beforeebleak efifeontacts 2 I2v ofre'layLAR-Isand to the'windingrof .relay'lARI. Thuswhenlrel'ay AR is operated at thefend of thelrst'markinglelement; it "causes the n `operation` of relay' ARI', whichslocks'up and holds through make-contact 213 to common busZIlt.

L Theoperatienlofrelay ARI closes-contacts 2 i565, thus vcompleting'.ajqoath from theDOT'BUS to 'rithefwiidingxof relayDORso-thjat' if the second wnnarlring` elementaof at-.zsuccessive' signal `train :causediDOTI-relayfto operate;k then DURI-relay i;

would'respondtothis operation. In a like manner; ifitfhadl1` been assumedthat DARI `relay was i: foperatedviceDORI relayrARI would have' been Lsxfnilarly operated to'close contacts 21 EQ-tieing re- :lay DARE- to'zthe DASHV BUS.

Il' Restated; thev appearance 'of-either: a 'dot' or a .dashsas-the-rstfnaarkingelement 'in a successive signal @trainl has caused-'thenoperation.` and lockirupiof eitherlDORI `orIDA-RI,aslthe voase may be,

'andi ujoorithe cessation-'oil thatrstlmarking element;` hasicausedAR Ito operate and lock-up',` thus wpreparing=.r'elay`s DDR2 and! DAR2 -tokbe responsive to the appearance of the second marking 'elec lement inthatsuccessivasignal trainj'In like mam 'Y ner operation progresses or advances in succession .thrOugbDOR-Z 'ODARZ tdACtZ,V DDR3 or DARS -to'alAlRSg- DOR4'Jor'DAR4 trJARA, DDR5 or DAR Y `toARS and* finally? into" DOR@ or vDAREi.

"sincebyinternational convention no 'character involves` more than 5 marking elements, the chain fer'ids' at the'fth instancegalthoughot course any number 1offsuchfstage's can' Aobviously beirrcorpo rated into a circuit of this type.

The-operation of- 'anvof the' DORY oiiDAR relays .=performs=required switching'operations through r1.2; kare*,al'i'pliedito@electronic `control unit.terirzinals"` R2. This is donef'loecause segreg'atedzelements"demandediby' the relay 4counting :chain 'arefnot nec- "essary for `the rproper'functi'oning of the electronic 'controLunit `I 6.

The-potential ofthis recombined signalappears :simultaneously on the'ianode of 'diode' VIA `and thfat sregardlessr of signal:l polarity (which, for the M"purlgiose of :preserving relay contacts,A is -reversed vea'cli oiperatingday) a Pulsar circuit 23`fcompris- :Li-ng va triode'V'ZA- is llpulsed f7 conducting at 'the' leading edge :ofwea'chfsignal element.

ffPulsing-"of triade' V2A: activates' the vdelaytrigger-25 comprising'triodes VZB and-V3; Whichopcrates in the conventional trigger manner, restoring in aftime` which-can be adjusted byrzot'entiom .-"This trigger-circuit well-:aslothersto vfolrl'oW; has'orie degree of. clectricalstability; z namefti'onxinxwhich. the triggerzcircuit 25' remainsin 'its-active state is determinedfto a large "extent-.by 'the =timefconstant oi the-network formedbycapacitor C3 and associatedresistors; the `more V'im-- -fportahtfofrwhich are RI 3 and? I Attheinstant of'restoration 'ofithe Delay trig- "geru a positivepulseuiszpassediotriode VSA 'fWhich at once 'activatesAdvancetrigger v29 comprising tubes VEA and VBB, which also operates inthe usual mannerfrestoring inY a -time :interval r under contrcl'o apote'ntiometer P3.

PActivation 'offlAdVancevtrigger 29 causesAdnVance output triodes'V-I lA' and VI IBA to-become y'conducting to energizey advance'vrelay AR '(Fig. 2a) until Advance trigger 291is restored or sooner if'so determined' loythe time constant of capacitor CI'I and associated resistorRil.

"As explained' before; Advance `relay ARf-is foperated' once for' each signalelemenu-fand Jitbeycomesfoloerated after atimedetermined by Delay ytrigger Ztl,V and-etaysfoperat'ed for a' timedeter- 'mined 'by Advance trigger? 9.

' It should' ybefnoted that 'theflanode Apotentiall 'of tube VA is norrnallyheld at afreduced Value due g v to the bleeding=. action of an E and T'Control triode' VBf whichis maintained. in a conducting Vstate `'undernormal conditions. '1 ShouldfE'and T `Control"itri'ode V533' become 'non-conducting. it would cause the` anodeipotential' `of 'triode'z VBA to rise-:to a'value higher than normal resulting i in a correspondingly"increasedtime durationfor *Advancefftrigger2S. This increased time factor is a desirable function under-fcertain'signal con- 'e' ditions `asfw'ill fbe explained'hereinafter.

fuAt fthe' instant off' restoration' of `the* Advance .trigger` 2 El, a positive pulse obtained' from; 'the tivating: Print trigger 3i. Gating triodes V lA,

r "VBand'VSB'are- :either conducting or blocked in n accordance fwith :the'f'magnitude arid-1 polarity fof "the` potentials- :applied' to' the'selectrodes *When v:ation :ofV Printl triggerr; Sii.' vcauses 'output'v triodes .'V'teASa-nd VaiB to become conducting', thus pass- 1ing;.a ffprin 'pu-lsetthrou'gh the-'selective circuits f.; of.; the .converter relay 'chain rtofoperate'fthevsenoid to be energized and pull down a key of the cooperating perforator, holding that key depressed until Print trigger restores.

At the instant of restoration of` Print trigger 3l, a positive pulse is applied to Clearout output triode Vl2A which conducts and energizes relay H1 for a period of time determined by the time constant of capacitor Cl2 and resistor R56 in the grid circuit of Clearout output triode VIZA.

It is apparent from the foregoing that, as thus far discussed, under the iniiuence of each leading impulse of a signal element, either dot or dash, the following chain of events takes place:

A. Advance relay AR is energized once.

B. Print rotary solenoid 11, operating the associated perforator print magnet, is next energized once.

C. Clearout relay l I1 is energized once.

Obviously, the print and clearout functions are useful in this sequence only when the received characterconsisted of a single marking element; that is, either an E or a 'I. On any multiple element character the operation of Print solenoid B and Clearout relay I|1 must be nullied until the complete character has been received, as indicated by a spacing or no-signal interval following the character group. A Signal Interlock triode V4 performs this nullifying function in the manner hereinafter described.

At the instant Delay trigger is activated, the anode of triode V3 becomes relatively positive causing Signal Interlock triode V4 to conduct, eiiectively to apply a relatively positive potential to its cathode.

Since the cathode of triode V4 is directly connected to the cathode of Print Gate triode VIA, the latter is held in blocked condition, and hence the effect of any pulse obtained from Advance trigger 29 would be nullied if it were applied to the grid of gate triode VIA during the time the cathode was at relatively positive potential. However, because of the delays due to Delay trigger 25 and Advance trigger 29, the pulse obtained from Advance trigger 29 does not arrive on the grid of gate triode VlA until after the second marking pulse has swung the cathode of triode V'IA positive. Restated, it is the immediately following signal impulse which nullifies its predecessors attempt to activate Print trigger 3|. Obviously, if there is no subsequent signal impulse the last impulse received is utilized to energize print solenoid 56 and the associated mechanism of the perforator.` Therefore, Print solenoid 55 and Clearout relay l I'I operate only once for each character group of signal elements regardless of the number of elements in that group, but Advance relay H1 operates once for each element of the group.

It has been shown that, in the first no-signal interval following a character group, Print trigger 3l is activated, thus eifectively causing the associated perforator to punch the tape in accordance with the character under consideration. Should this spacing interval endure for two or more B. M. E., as in the spacing interval between words, it would then be necessary for the perforator to record the Word space as a distinct punching. This is accomplished as hereinafter described.

The activation of the Space trigger 33 is controlled by Space Gate triode V'lB in the same manner and at the same time as Print Gate triode 11A controlled the Print trigger 3|. However, therestoration timing of Space trigger 33 is purposely made longer than the restoration time of Print trigger 3l, so that as it restores it will attempt to relire Print trigger` by activation of Space-Print gate triode V8B. Since the cathode of triode VSB is also controlled by the Signal Interlock cathode potential, this refiring of Print trigger can only take place when there is no signal present or a space condition.

To restate the foregoing, Space trigger 33 is activated every time Print trigger 3| is activated, at the first spacing interval following a marking interval. If this period of no signal endures for approximately 25 percent of a B. M. E., Print trigger is fired thus printing and clearing out any accumulated selection in the relay train. If

f, this spacing condition continues to endure for still another B. M. E'. or more, Space trigger restores and in doing so reres Print which in operating flnds no selection in the relays and so activates the Space solenoid of the perforator.

The necessity for figures and letters shift on the conventional keyboard perforator makes the provision of such functional control impulses imperative. In the Morse and Higgitt codes, any group of more than four signal elements is recognized as a number or punctuation mark and calls for a case shift. A Figures trigger 3l is arranged to make this element count and be activated immediately at the start of any fifth consecutive marking element in a manner hereinafter explained.

Each time Delay trigger 25 restores, the anode of triode V3 becomes relatively negative and a pulse is applied to diode V2 IB of Figure Counting circuit 39, causing it to become conducting momentarily. When diode VZIB conducts an increment of charge is applied to and stored in capacitor C22. The amount of this incremental charge is determined by circuit constants having values at which the resultant of a predetermined number of increments, in this instance four successive increments, accumulated on capacitor C2i. would be just under the potential required to cause triode Vle to conduct and five such increments would surely cause that tube to conduct. For purposes of the discussion to follow, it will be considered that each increment is one-fifth of the cathode potential at which triode VIS becomes conducting.

Each time Signal Interlock triode V4 becomes conducting the anode thereof becomes relatively negative and a negative pulse is applied to the cathode of triode VIS, the potential of which pulse is considerably less than the total required tripping or activating potential. Again, for discussion purposes only, it will be assumed that the magnitude of this pulse is equivalent to one-fth of the cathode potential at which triode V|9 becomes conducting.

From the foregoing, it can be seen that in response to each and every character element there will be two pulses of current applied to triode V19 in an attempt to activate Figures trigger 31.

In time sequence, the iirst pulse to arrive will be that obtained from Signal Interlock triode V4 occurring at the leading edge of each signal element. NoteJ however, that this pulse is of short duration and is not stored or accumulated in capacitor C22. Next to arrive will be the pulse from triode V3 of Delay trigger 25 occurring at the restoration of Delay trigger 25. In this case the charge is stored in capacitor C22 permitting accumulation. When, as in the instant case, four signal elements have deposited a total of fouriifthsof the potential required to activate Fig- 9. uresltrigger''l'; the pulse obtained atf'rthe start of the fifth pulse vvvillsupply the `.required-additional lone-fifth. cathode' potential charge and* triode VI 9 Willr' become conducting, causingLFig ures trigger 3'1- to trip orbe activated. i

VAt thelinstant Figures --trigger 31 isV activated; y Figures output triode 'VZEAL becomeslconducting.v and energizesthel Figures solenoid- 'l5 cooperating-. with the perforator to puncha gurest com:V binationin the tape Co'incident With'the activa-f:I e,

tion of lFigures trigger 31a pulseisfappliedto andV stored on capacitor C I 'fthrouglofv diode V ISB; Th'epotentialattained on CIR is insuifi'cienttoi cause triode VIliBv to conduct as -thistube isheld` inoperative by the normally conducting state-roil Lockout Control triode VSB. y'I-Iowever, .whenn Lookout Control triode'VQB'isrblockedJ-asrit' is if every time Print trigger 3h is activatedL-thercoe incidencerof aY-negative charge on capacitor CISLy anda lessened negative potential'on the grid oi VlBipermits VI 6B to conduct, which action' im-r mediately causes triodeVISAto-beblockedin the lconventional locking circuit` manner.` f

i3` can be operated as will'be explained later.y

t must be rememberedV that the`v functions gonevthrough to accomplish this -gures-shiit have not interferedvwith the normal regular ac-V tionof'Advance relay -ARfPrint solenoid `6=-or Clearoutrelay I I`i.` Therefore; as soonfas a space4 interval appeared -in the signal element train (even though iiv'eor'six consecutive elements-" meven more-were-involved* the perforator---was operated tou punch the appropriatecharacter combination.

Itisdesirable to point out'here; also, that had the character elements beenanytliing less than five followed by a no-signal' interval-"of` one B. M. E. or more,v the accumulated` charge 'in capacitor C22'would have been dissipated when SpaceV trigger triode VIIB 'became conducting f since cathodes of triodes VI'IB and 'VIS are ine terconnected. s

ticn'is `obtained as explained belov/'f Each time Delay trigger 25 is activated, a 'nega-"7 tive pulse is applied lto Letters IDelaycontroltri` ode VI3A vblocking it from-its ncrmallyccnducte When triode VISAagain becomesf'conducting, after a time interval determined by thetime constant of its grid circuit, a negativepulfse is applied to the cathode of triode VIBB of a Leting state.`

ters trigger 43 causing it to conduct, which-trigger circuitfunctions in the'-l manner previously described.

At the instant Letters trigger V1133 is activated, the anode of triode VIII becomes relativelymore`v` positive lrcausing Letters --Output triodel V2`2B'to' 1 becomeconducting, permitting the letters sole@ noid 'I6 mechanically linked to th-e-"cooperating perforator to be operated;y therebypunching a letters combination `in the tape. l

Also `at the instant Letters trigger-143becomesjr conducting,l the positive swing of anode potentialV on triodeVIlI causes VLockout triodeVIFinito-cons' conventional" duct, cutting off triodeV V I 6B`in `the locking circuit manner."

Againfat the iusantLettersl triggeram"isf-"aanv tively nega-tive;` applying ain'e'gativeV pulsecto ani!- thaiis, an extension "of 'the normaly 'durationt 'of Advance Atrigger "active period; 'coming*--irnmedi1 atelyy after each time theflettersrfunction isre:z quired', the resultant `print function is""de1aye`d longy enough to gettheV 'perforator'cle'ar' of'its letters punchingoperation:v As"this'closeprint requirement 'occurs only' nwhen 'a nsingle"-"ele'ment i character (that 'is;-and- E or -T)' follws"*a ngure yor punctuation markfthe control" is y called E and T"fControlr Its "function 'isfto' `reduce the' maximum instantaneous. speed requirement of A :the perforator.

With Lockout triode VISA in its normal con-.w

hundred ohms of 'resistance to"'all"tripping pulses.;

'' "obtained iromLettersDelay Control triode VI`3'A`. l.

Hence, Letters trigger '43" do'esnot' 'become active" unless the Lockout triodel-V IBA has been blocked due-to a gures action activating triode`VIIBfas-.r--. hereinbefore explained.

summarizing the foregoing description, it can.-V be seen that the electronic unitaccording to the# invention supplies theY following impulses:

A. An Advance pulse. .for every marking signal element, and. .having an extendedA-'time'duration on the first` marking element follows a Letters pulse.

[A'Figures pulseV starting at'the start of the fifth consecutive marking element of any Von character group.

. A" Print pulse occurringduring the rst" B. M. .EL of any no-signal interval following' a character group;

"A second Print pulse- (or Space pulse) occur?v ring during the second BI `of rany no#y signal interval following a' character group.

E. ACle'arout pulse immediately ollovvinglv the completion of every print pulse. v

#Av Letters pulse initiated by the rst marking element of the character selection itollovving` the printing of an upper-case character.

An .Ink yRecorder triode Vl 2B hasbeen included in thearrangementzfast ameans of monitoringrthe l time 'occurrence andxduration of the Print-Fig ures-and-Letters impulses. Wheneverany :ofthe output tubesrgoverning these. ,functionsk becomes conductingfVIZB-'is blocked:- With the foperate f coilII'I' of anindicating instrument, such asian"- ink .record'enlinltheancde circuit of triode VI 2B,'= a recordiofithes'e functions for fanalysis isiiauto-fv matieallfyimade.y f

3 'illustrates :in :graphical -fornith'ev :time l relationshipsbe'tween the various .impulses correr la'teoltoV the -basiofmarkin'g' element'aslmentioned in-ftlie foregoing description, an? arrow yupA in'dif c'atir'igj --a trigger@ being I activated; and "ani-arrow? down,r"a trigger being restored'.-

Whileil the# invention has beenfdesc'r-ibed inf terms-V of 'anfexpress' embodiment' thereof it''is .tol

'be understood that many modications"liwilli-be2 1l obvious to one skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

APPENDIX In a constructed embodiment of the invention the following components were used:

Vacuum tubes VIA,VIB 1/2 6K6 V2A, V2B 1/2 SSN? V3, V4 6J5 VSA, VEB, BBA, VSB 1/2 GSN'I V'IA, V'IB 1/2 6SL'7 V8A,V8B,V9A,V9B 1A; 6SN'7 VIDA, VIOB 1/2 GAST VI IA, VI IB, VI2A, VI2B, VI3A, VI3B 1/ GSN'? VIII 6J5 VIA,VI5B lf2 6H6 VISA, VISB 1/2 BSN? VIIA,VI'IB 1/2 GSL? VIB, VIS, V 6J5 V2IA, V2IB 1/2 6H6 V22A, V22B 1/2 6AS7 Capacitors Microfarads C3 0.02 CII 0.03 CI2 0.025 CI8 0.1 C22 0.07

Resistors PI, P3 (log taper) 500K w RI,R2 100K w RI3 750K w R50 180K w R56 470K w R12 100K w `The invention claimed comprises:

l. An electronic circuit arrangement for producing coordinated utilization pulses in response to received pulsations comprising elements of diiferent nature representing characters of a prearranged random length code, comprising trigger, delay, interlock and gate circuits arranged in concatenated series relationship to produce a first utilization pulse corresponding to each marking element, a second utilization pulse corresponding to a marking element preceding an intercharacter space and a third utilization pulse following said second utilization pulse by a predetermined time interval, a delay circuit and a further trigger circuit arranged to produce a first complementary utilization, pulse When the number of marking elements is less than a predetermined number of marking elements, a counting circuit arranged to count the number of marking elements received for each character under consideration, a trigger circuit adapted to be activated in response to said counting circuit counting said predetermined number to produce a second complementary utilization pulse, further delay, gate and trigger circuits arranged to destroy said count and to reproduce said second utilization pulse after a spacing interval longer than an interelement space, a locking circuit arranged to prevent production of an undesired one of said complementary utilization pulses When the other is required, and a control circuit arranged to extend the period of activation of said means producing said first utilization pulse upon sequential production of said second complementary, said second, and said first complementary utilization pulses.

2. An electronic circuit arrangement for producing coordinated utilization pulses in response to received pulsations comprising marking and spacing signal elements representing characters of a prearranged random length code, comprising cascaded trigger circuits responsive to received marking elements to produce a first utilization pulse for each marking element, a further trigger circuit and an interlock circuit coupled to said cascaded circuits to produce a second utilization pulse corresponding to a marking element preceding an intercharacter space, a delayed control circuit coupled to said further trigger circuit to produce a third utilization pulse following said second utilization pulse by a ypredetermined time interval, a further cascaded delay circuit and trigger circuits responsive to received marking elements potentially to produce a first complementary utilization pulse, a counting circuit responsive to received marking elements and arranged to provide the count of the number of marking elements for each character under consideration, a trigger circuit coupled to said counting circuit and adapted to be activated in response to a count of a predetermined number of marking elements potentially to produce a second complementary utilization pulse, further interlock, delay, gate and trigger circuits arranged to destroy said count and to reproduce said second utilization pulse after a spacing interval longer than an interelement space, a locking circuit arranged to prevent production of an undesired one of said potential complementary utilization pulses, when the other is required, and a control circuit coupled to both of said cascaded circuits and arranged to extend the period of said first utilization pulse upon sequential production of said second complementary, said second, and said iirst complementary utilization pulses,

3. An electronic circuit arrangement for yproducing electric pulses to be applied to a' utiliza-- tion pulse of time duration determined by the natural period of said second trigger circuit, a normally open gate circuit coupled to said second trigger circuit, a third self-restoring trigger circuit coupled to said rst gate circuit and responsive to the restoration of said second trigger circuit to produce a second electric utilization pulse, and a signal interlock circuit coupled to said first trigger circuit and coupled to said rst gate circuit to close said rst gate circuit in response to activation of said first trigger circuit by the succeeding marking signal element to prevent activation of said third trigger circuit where the marking signal element under consideration is followed by another marking signal element within Y the time period of the predetermined interelement circuit responsive to the start of every marking Y annesse element; a secondself-restoring trigger circuit re'- produ'cefasecond electric utilization pulse, a sig-Y nal interlock circuit coupled to saidiirst trigger circuit and `ycoupled to said first gatecircuit to f closeisaidfirstgate circuit in response to activation lof saidrfirst trigger circuitby the succeeding marking signal' .element Ito prevent activation of said third triggericircuit where the marking signal element funder.`consideration is followed by another' marking signal4 element within the time periodwof ythe predetermined interelementspacing elementfand a time constant network coupled toA said third :trigger circuit vto produce a third electric utilization pulse in response to the productionfof saidlsecond utilization pulse.

5.51m electronic circuiti'arrangement for producing electric pulses. to be applied to a utilization device in response to received telegraph signals comprising v.equal length dot and dash marking signal elements in prearranged sequencesfcorresponding to characters expressed in `random-if-length code, including a rst selfrestoring trigger circuit responsive to the start of every marking `element,.a second self-restoring AVtrigger fcircuit responsive to the restoration of Vsaidlirst trigger circuit to produce a rst electric utilization pulse of time duration determined bythe natural period of said second trigger circuit,v ynormally open iirst vland second gate circuits coupled to said second trigger circuit, a third self-restoring trigger circuit coupled to said iirst gate circuitand responsive to the restoration 'of -saidsecond trigger circuit to produce a secondv electric utilization'pulse, a signal inter-v lock circuit coupled to said iirst trigger circuit and/coupled to saidv iirst and second gate circuits tovblo'ck bthgate circuits in response to activation of said `r'st trigger circuit by the succeeding marking signal element to prevent activation of said third vtrigger circuit where the marking signal element under consideration is followed by another marking signal element within twice the timek period of the predetermined interelement spacing element, a fourth self-restoring trigger circuit jcoupled to said second gate circuit, said fourth vtrigger circuit being activ-ated in response to activationof said third trigger circuit and having an active period longer than the active period of said third trigger circuit, and means to couple said fourth trigger circuit to said third trigger A'circuit Ato reactivate said third trigger circuit upon restoration of said fourth trigger circuit;

6. An'lelectronic circuit arrangement for producing-electric pulses'ito be applied to a utilizationldevice invresponse to received telegraph signals' comprising equal length dot and dash marking signal elements in prearranged sequences corresponding to characters expressed infrando'm length code, including a rst selfrestoringvtrigger circuit responsive to the start of 'every -marking element, a second self-restoringtrigger-circuit responsive to the restoration of said rst triggerv circuit to produce 'a first electric utilization pulseV of time duration determined by'the natural period of said second triggeri'circuitinormally open first and second 'gate|` A circuits coupled to said second 'trgger-circuitia third self-restoring trigger circuit coupled .to'saidf'` first gate circuit andresponsiveA to :the restora-`V tion of said second trigger circuitto producewa'.

ysecond electric utilization pulse, a signal interlock circuit coupled tol-said-first trigger circuit'- and coupled `to said first andv second gate circuits to block both gate circuits in response to activa.y tion of said nrst triggericircuit by the succeed-"- ing marking signal element to'prevent activa-A tion of said third trigger circuit where the mark ing signal element `under- `consideration is followed by another marking signal element within twice the time period of the predetermined -interelement spacing element, a fourth self-restoring y trigger circuit coupled to said second gate circuit, 1 said fourth trigger circuit beingactivated in're-iH sponse to activation of said third-'trigger circuitl and "having an active period longer-than the active period of said third trigger'circuit, a normally openv third gate circuit :coupled to-said fourth trigger circuit 'andto said thirdv trigger circuit to reactivatesaid third' trigger circuitl upon restoration'of said fourth triggerl circuit',l and means interconnecting said signal interlockV circuit to said third gate circuit' to preventjre-' .activation ofsaid third trigger circuit'by restera` tion of said lfourth trigger'circuit vwhere the marking signal element under consideration is followed by another ,marking signal elementi` Within twice the time period of the predetermined interelement spacing element.v

7. An electronic circuit arrangement for pro' ducingl a utilization pulse corresponding Vto Ya character of a prearranged telegraph signal train?v of a random length code having a predetermined number of marking elements, including la first self-restoring trigger circuit activated in responseV to applied marking signal elements, acharge storing circuit coupled to saidV first triggercir-y cuit to store an incrementof electric energy in response to restoration of said first trigger cir- V cuit, a second self-restoring trigger circuit coupled toY said charge storing circuit, a signalinterlock `circuit coupled to said rst trigger circuit and to said second trigger circuit, said interlock i circuit being activated in response to the activation of said rst trigger circuit to apply atripping pulse of electric energy to said second trigger circuit, said second trigger circuitbeing acti-- vated upon application of Vsaid tripping pulse and the charge in said storing circuit attaining a value equal to said predetermined number of restorations of said rst trigger circuit to produce said utilization pulse corresponding to a character having said predetermined number of marking elements.

8.4,An electronic circuit'arrangement ier pror ducing complementary utilization pulses in ac-i,l cordance with a predetermined number of mark-@ ing elements comprising a character ci a prearranged telegraph signal vtrain ora random Y cuit coupled vto said'rst trigger' circuit to store an increment of electric energy incresponse to restoration of said -irst trigger circuit, a second l self-restoring, trigger circuitY coupled to said charge storing circuit, a signal interlock circuit coupled to said first trigger'circuit and :to said second trigger circuit; said interlock circuitheing activatedinresponse "to the', restoration of said first trigger circuit to applyja trippingpuisepif electricenergy 'to 'said *second trigger circuit,

said second trigger circuit being activated upon application of said tripping pulse and the charge in said storing circuit attaining a value egual to said predetermined number of restorations of said first trigger circuit to produce a one of said complementary utilization pulses corresponding to a character having said predetermined number of marking elements, a normally active time delay circuit coupled to said first trigger circuit and arranged to be blocked in response to activation of said iirst trigger circuit for a predetermined period less than the time required for said predetermined number of marking elements to be applied, and a third selfrestoring trigger circuit coupled to said time delay circuit and adapted to be activated at the end of said predetermined period to produce the second of said complementary utilisation puises.

9. An electronic circuit arrangement for producing complementary utilization pulses in accordance With a predetermined number oi marking elements comprising a character of a prearranged telegraph signal train of a random length code, including a first self-restoring trigger circuit activated in response to applied marking signal elements, a charge storing circuit coupled to said rst trigger circuit to store an increment of electric energy in response to restoration of said first trigger circuit, a second Seli-restoring trigger circuit coupled to said charge storing circuit, a signal interlock circuit coupled to said iirst trigger circuit and to said second trigger circuit, said interlock circuit being activated in response to the restoration of said `iirst trigger circuit to apply a tripping pulse of electric energy to said second trigger circuit,

said second trigger circuit being activated upon application of said tripping pulse and the charge in. said storing circuit attaining a value equal to said predetermined number of restorations of said rst trigger circuit to produce a rst one of said complementary utilization pulses corresponding to a character having said predetermined number of marking elements, a normally active time delay circuit coupled tc said rst trigger circuit and arranged to be blocked in response to activation of said first trigger circuit for predetermined period less than the time required for said predetermined number of marking elements to be applied, a third self-restoring `trigger circuit coupled to said time delay circuit and adapted to be activated at the end of said predetermined period to produce the second ci coniple ..entary utilization pulses, and a Flip-flop circuit coupled between said second and said third trigger circuits to prevent production oi said first utilization pulse when the number of signal marking elements is less than said predetermined number When the preceding character had less than said predetermined number of marking elements and to prevent production of said second utilization pulse when the number of marking elements is greater than said predetermined number.

10. An electronic circuit arrangement for producing electric pulses to be applied to a utilization device in response to received telegraph signals comprising equal length dot and dash marking signal elements in prearranged sequences cor-- responding to characters expressed in random length code, including a iirst self-restoring trigger circuit responsive to the start of every marking element, a second self-restoring trigger circuit responsive to the restoration of said first trigger circuit to produce a rst electric utilization pulse of time duration determined by the natural period of said second trigger circuit, a normally open first gate circuit coupled to said second trigger circuit, a third self-restoring trigger circuit coupled to said first gate circuit and responsive to the restoration of said second trigger circuit to produce a second electric utilization pulse, a charge storing circuit coupled to said rst trigger circuit to store an increment of electric energy in response to restoration of said rst trigger circuit, a fourth self-restoring trigger circuit coupled to said charge storing circuit, a signal interlock circuit coupled to said rst trigger circuit and to said fourth trigger circuit, said interlock circuit being activated in response to the restoration of said first trigger circuit to apply a tripping pulse of electric energy tol said fourth trigger circuit, said fourth trigger circuit being activated upon application of said tripping pulse and the charge in said storing circuit attaining a value equal to said predetermined number of restorations of said first trigger circuit to produce a first complementary utilization pulse corresponding to a character having said predetei-mined number of marking elements, a normally active time delay circuit coupled to said iirst trigger circuit and arranged to be blocked in response to activation of said rst trigger circuit ior a predetermined period less than the time required for said predetermined number of marking elements to be applied, a fifth self-restoring trigger circuit coupled to said time delay circuit and adapted to be activated at the end of said predetermined period to produce a second complementary utilization pulse, a flip-flop circuit coupled between said fourth and said fifth trigger circuits to prevent production of said first complementary utilization pulse when the number of signal marking elements is less than said predetermined number and when the preceding character had less than said predetermined number of marking elements and to prevent production of said second complementary utilization pulse When the number of marking elements is greater than said predetermined number, and a normally activated control circuit coupled to said third and said '.Flfth trigger circuits to be blocked upon activation or" said fifth trigger circuit and extend the activation period of said third trigger circuit upon sequential activation of said fourth trigger circuit, said third triggercircuit and said fth trigger circuits.

11. An electronic circuit arrangement for producing electric pulses to be applied to a utilization device in response to received telegraph signals comprising equal length dot and dash mark- Y ing signal elements in prearranged sequences corresponding to characters expressed in random length code, including a first self-restoring trigger c ircuit responsive to the start of every marking element, a second self-restoring trigger circuit responsive to the restoration of said rst trigger circuit to produce a first electric utilization pulse of time duration determined by the natural period of said second trigger circuit, a third self-restoring trigger circuit coupled to said second trigger circuit and responsive to the restoration of said rst trigger circuit to produce a second electric utilization pulse, a charge storing circuit coupled to said first trigger circuit to store an increment of electric energy in response to restoration of said irst trigger circuit, a fourth self-restoring trigger circuit coupled to said charge storing circuit, a signal interlock circuit coupled to said first trigger circuit and to said.I

fourth trigger circuit, said interlock circuit being activated in response to the restoration of said fourth trigger circuit to apply a tripping pulse of electric energy to said fourth trigger circuit, said third trigger circuit being activated upon application of said tripping pulse and the charge in said storing circuit attaining a value equal to x said predetermined number of restorations of said rst trigger circuit to produce a complementary utilization pulse, a fifth self-restoring trigger circuit having an active period longer than that of said third trigger circuit and being coupled to said rst and said fourth trigger circuits and arranged to be activated in response to activation of said third trigger circuit to reactivate said third trigger circuit and discharge the charge stored in said charge storing circuit upon restoration of said iifth trigger circuit.

EUGENE RICHARD SHENK.

JAMES CURTIS PHELPS.

No references cited. 

